Q: I believe in being as natural as possible and I try my best to avoid medicines of all kinds. I am a big believer in vitamins and eating well to protect against cancers and other ailments. Are there dietary changes I can make to help my prostate?

A: There is much research underway to help determine what vitamins and food items actually work and which ones do not. Recent research in the United Kingdom showed that eating broccoli once or twice a week can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

The most fascinating part of the study is that the broccoli-rich diet produced changes in gene activity that were likely to stop or slow cancer growth. This research provides increasing medical proof that we can affect our genetics by what we eat!

Another study from Texas A&M found that watermelon may act similarly to many of the sexual health drugs on the market. This fruit is rich in an amino acid called citrulline. This helps to relax and dilate blood vessels in the penis much like the medications that treat erectile dysfunction.

Research is still early for both of these dietary products, but it shows that medical research is on the right track to help guide us in our diets and also our dietary supplements. Stay tuned.